Journey to the West: Beginning with the Apprenticeship of Bodhi Patriarch

Chapter 369 On the Double Ninth Festival, Wukong visits the three schools of thought; Wukong encounters the demon mountain.

Meanwhile, in Zuo Liang's residence, Wang Chongyang took out a tael of silver and asked Zuo Liang to find a good teacher to teach him.

Seeing that Zuo Liang remained silent, Wang Chongyang assumed that his actions were somewhat impolite and offensive. He quickly rose and bowed, saying, "Celestial Master, I was impolite. I am just a country bumpkin. Please forgive me if my words were offensive."

Upon hearing this, Zuo Liang snapped out of his daze and said, "I didn't mean to blame you; I was just momentarily distracted. With war raging outside, most scholars are hiding in the countryside and are difficult to find."

Wang Chongyang replied, "If that is the case, please do not take my words seriously, Celestial Master, but only as the playful talk of a child."

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "Although scholars are hard to find, I think you live in the mansion, so there's no need to look for one. To be honest, I also have some knowledge. If you don't mind, I can teach you a little."

Upon hearing this, Wang Chongyang was overjoyed, but did not respond immediately. After some hesitation, he asked, "Would this hinder the Celestial Master?"

Zuo Liang smiled and said, "Don't worry, this won't hinder me."

Wang Chongyang rose and bowed, saying, "I wish to become the Celestial Master's disciple and thus acquire his knowledge."

Upon hearing this, Zuo Liang was somewhat alarmed. He helped him up, refused the courtesy, and said, "How can I be your teacher? Don't mention this again. I am teaching you knowledge, not to be your teacher."

Wang Chongyang, not understanding his meaning, asked, "Celestial Master, but you impart knowledge to me, so aren't you a teacher?"

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "I dare not accept such praise. But since you have learned from me, you do not need to call me your teacher."

Wang Chongyang nodded blankly.

Left Envoy Wang Chongyang took his seat and asked, "Chongyang, since you wish to acquire knowledge, may I ask what kind of knowledge you wish to acquire?"

Wang Chongyang asked, "Celestial Master, are there different categories of knowledge?"

Zuo Liang smiled and nodded, saying, "Of course. There is a great deal of knowledge, too much to count, but it can be divided into three schools. These three schools are Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. These three schools contain a myriad of knowledge, and you may choose one to study."

Wang Chongyang then asked, "Celestial Master, what are the intricacies of these three schools?"

Zuo Liang pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, “The three schools are all different. Let me explain them one by one. The Taoists believe that the perfect man is selfless and the divine man is without merit. They transcend honor, disgrace, life and death, like water flowing downwards, going with the flow, nourishing all things with tranquility, and attaining the Tao through non-seeking.”

"In Buddhism, there were two patriarchs: the Tathagata of Tranquility, who attained a state of profound meditation and emptiness of all afflictions. He understood that meditation is the arising of dependent origination and the emptiness of inherent existence, and that suffering is caused by attachment. Only by understanding the emptiness of all phenomena can one be free from suffering and attain happiness."

"Confucianism is about virtue and propriety. Virtue is the symbol of the heart, its root is benevolence, its application is sincerity, its manifestation is in action, and its achievement is in longevity. Propriety is about conduct, the way to serve the gods and obtain blessings. Its root is reverence, its application is moderation, its form is ritual, and its ultimate goal is harmony."

Zuo Liang explained the three schools of thought to Wang Chongyang one by one.

Wang Chongyang was still young, so how could he understand? He shook his head to show his incomprehension.

Seeing this, Zuo Liang smiled and said, "Did you not quite understand?"

Wang Chongyang nodded and said, "Celestial Master, I don't quite understand, but for some reason, when I hear you speak, I find it very enjoyable. This may make people laugh, but I don't know why, yet it brings me nameless joy."

Zuo Liang said, "There is nothing to laugh at here. Your nameless joy is the joy of the master. Your knowledge is weak now, so you do not understand the three schools of thought. How about I teach you some introductory knowledge, and after you have learned it, you can study the three schools of thought?"

Wang Chongyang nodded and said, "Thank you, Celestial Master. I am willing to learn the teachings of enlightenment."

Zuo Liang agreed and instructed his attendants to take Wang Chongyang away, whereupon he would teach him enlightenment doctrines.

Wang Chongyang accepted the order and left with a follower.

Chen Xian, who was serving by the side, stepped forward and said, "Sir, when Chongyang left."

Zuo Liang turned his head and looked around, asking, "Chen Xian, what's the matter?"

Chen Xian asked, "Sir, you seem to have some concern for this child."

Zuo Liang asked with a smile, "How do you know?"

Chen Xian said, "Even when you see children normally, you don't take care of them like this. But now you are very caring towards this child, which is something I've never done before."

Zuo Liang did not deny it, but nodded with a smile and said, "This child is extraordinary."

Chen Xian scratched his head and said, "Sir, what is so special about this child? I have not seen anything unusual about him. He is just like a country child, nothing special, except for the unusual phenomenon at his birth. He is just an ordinary child."

Zuo Liang laughed and said, "As the saying goes, 'A scholar should be viewed with new eyes after three days of separation.' Today you see him as an ordinary person, but tomorrow you will see him as an immortal."

Chen Xian shook his head and said, "Sir, I don't believe it."

Over the years, Chen Xian had served Zuo Liang by his side. Knowing that Zuo Liang was a celestial being, Zuo Liang, after learning of Chen Xian's Daoist heart, intentionally or unintentionally taught him some cultivation methods. However, Chen Xian had little talent, so his cultivation made little progress.

Therefore, Chen Xian knew how difficult it was to achieve spiritual cultivation and how much virtue was required to be worthy of the title "Immortal". He knew all this, but he did not believe that a child could become an Immortal in the future.

Zuo Liang smiled and did not refute Chen Xian.

Seeing Zuo Liang's serious expression, Chen Xian cautiously asked, "Sir, is what you say true? Will this child truly become an immortal someday?"

Zuo Liang pointed at Chen Xian and said, "Don't say anything more. Have you finished your homework for today?"

Chen Xian nodded and said, "Sir, it has already been completed. Although cultivation is very difficult for me and I have no talent, medicine is very easy. My medical skills are still acceptable now, but I was born at the wrong time."

Zuo Liang asked with a smile, "What do you mean by 'born at the wrong time'?"

Chen Xian said, “The world is in great chaos now, even more so than in previous years. There are kings in the east and kings in the west, and countless others. Strongmen run rampant, and they even dare to break into your mansion. If a doctor goes down the mountain now, he will die if he is not careful. After studying medicine for one or two decades, he will finally achieve something. If he goes down the mountain now, he will die rashly. He was born at the wrong time.”

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "The world, after a long period of division, will inevitably unite; after a long period of unity, it will inevitably divide again. Sooner or later, there will be a time of unification."

Chen Xian shook his head and said, "I fear that my lifespan will eventually come to an end, and I will not live to see that day."

Upon hearing this, Zuo Liang remained silent for a long time, unsure of what to say.

……

Spiritual practice knows no time, contemplation of emptiness knows no years. The pine breeze carries the crane's song, the moon shines on the meditation cushion in the stream. Cloud shadows shift and then linger, the moon waxes and wanes. Human life is fleeting, why lament the passing years? Before I knew it, several years had gone by.

The wars on earth never cease, but this chaos will no longer affect Zuo Liang's household. Zuo Liang has obtained the protection of the local earth and mountain gods. If any strongmen pass by, the earth and mountain gods will lead them away so as not to disturb Zuo Liang's peaceful cultivation.

Since a year or two ago, Zuo Liang has stopped recruiting followers to go up the mountain, and also stopped sending them down the mountain. They are free to come and go as they please. He knows that the world is in a time of war and chaos. If they go down the mountain now, they may not be able to use their skills and will be harmed by powerful people, wasting their time.

One day, Zuo Liang went to greet Wang Chongyang and met with him.

Wang Chongyang was only twenty years old at the time, but he was no longer a mischievous child. He had spent the past few years studying in the mansion, and his knowledge was already quite profound. Zuo Liang gave him the courtesy name "Zhiming".

Zuo Liang offered tea to Wang Chongyang and said, "Chongyang, you were not yet enlightened in the past, but in just a few short years you have become learned."

Wang Chongyang bowed and said, "It is all thanks to the Celestial Master. If it weren't for the Celestial Master taking me in and teaching me, I would have been a handful of dust long ago. How could I be here today?"

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "Even without me, you would not perish; this is the will of Heaven."

Upon hearing this, Wang Chongyang was used to it. Over the years, he had noticed that, for some reason, Zuo Liang did not regard him as a junior, but rather as an equal.

Zuo Liang asked, "Back then, on the Double Ninth Festival, you were still a student and did not know which of the three schools of thought was the best choice. Now that you have some knowledge, can you make a choice based on your understanding?"

Wang Chongyang pondered for a moment, but did not know how to answer.

Zuo Liang laughed and said, "You didn't answer back then because you didn't know the details and your knowledge was shallow, so you didn't speak. Why don't you answer now?"

Wang Chongyang rose and bowed, saying that he had been impolite. He then said, “Celestial Master, I did not answer because I did not know how to choose. In recent years, while studying, I have often pondered this matter. I feel that Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism all have their strengths. I wish to cultivate all three schools, which may seem like an exaggeration. I hope that the Celestial Master will not take offense.”

Upon hearing this, Zuo Liang did not think that he was talking nonsense. Instead, his smile widened and he said, "There is nothing wrong with studying and practicing all three schools of thought at the same time. However, the difficulty is immense. If you want to learn all three schools of thought, it will be extremely difficult. You must think it through."

Without hesitation, Wang Chongyang nodded and said, "Celestial Master, I am willing to cultivate all three schools."

Zuo Liang said, “There is a saying that ‘the three schools of thought are naturally combined.’ If you can learn all the doctrines of the three schools, it will greatly benefit your cultivation. However, the doctrines of Taoism are easy to learn, as I have many in my residence. But the doctrines of Buddhism and Confucianism are not here. If you want to learn them all, you must go outside to learn them.”

Wang Chongyang said, "I have long considered this. I wish to travel the world and visit great scholars and eminent monks to learn their teachings."

Zuo Liang smiled and nodded, then suddenly asked, "Chongyang, have you really thought this through? You should know that you have mastered the teachings of the three schools, which has benefited you immensely. However, this benefit is only in terms of knowledge, not in terms of magical power like mine."

Wang Chongyang smiled and said, "Celestial Master, is this knowledge and learning not enough?"

Upon hearing this, Zuo Liang laughed heartily and said, "If you need any help, just tell me, and I will assist you."

Wang Chongyang said, "The Celestial Master has already shown me great kindness by protecting me as I grew up. How could I dare to ask for anything more?"

Zuo Liang smiled and nodded, saying, "You can stay in the manor for a few years to learn Taoist doctrines before going elsewhere."

Wang Chongyang nodded and accepted the order.

The two talked for a long time in the main hall, with Zuo Liang doing most of the talking and Wang Chongyang listening. We will not go into details here.

……

On the main road west of Xiniu Hezhou, Sun Wukong, accompanied by Zhu Bajie, continued their journey as always, searching for demons.

Pigsy rode his cloud forward, following Monkey, and said, “Brother, why have you been bringing me along all this time? I thought I could just stay at home and let you come, Monkey. But since you helped me vanquish the demon on this westward journey, there haven’t been any demons around. There’s no need for me to come.”

Sun Wukong stopped his cloud, grabbed Zhu Bajie, and said, "You fool, I'm here to help you cultivate. You sleep soundly in that mansion every day, aren't you afraid that your cultivation will regress?"

Pigsy said, "Old Pig practices martial arts every day, and it's normal to get tired, so I take a good nap to make up for it."

Sun Wukong said, "Fool, you have some divine light in your body, so even if you don't sleep for ten thousand years, you will not get tired. How can you talk about getting tired? You are obviously talking nonsense."

Pigsy shouted, "Brother, you were born of heaven and earth, a divine being, how could you know that I, Pigsy, was reincarnated as a pig?"

Sun Wukong said, “Don’t try to fool me. I have fiery eyes. How could I not see whether you are tired or lazy? You are talking nonsense, Bajie. If you are lazy, don’t blame me for treating you like the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas. I will make you stick out your leg and hit you five times with my stick.”

Pigsy was startled and shuddered, saying, "Brother, don't mention that. Your staff is heavy. If you hit me five times, I'll surely die."

Sun Wukong said, "In that case, you should not mention anything about being lazy."

Pigsy said he dared not mention it again, and then laughed and said, "Speaking of which, the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas should thank you, Brother Monkey. If it weren't for you punishing the Dragon Kings and giving them a lecture, so that they would know about this place, they would definitely have gone to the Four Seas. Brother Monkey, your five blows were too lenient."

Sun Wukong scratched his head and said, "The Dragon Kings of the Four Seas were indeed at fault for a moment, but they shouldn't have made my senior brother suffer like this. I hope they will remember what happened here. Besides, when I went west in the past, the Dragon Kings helped me a lot, and I must accept their kindness."

Just as Pigsy was about to say something more, he suddenly saw something and said, "Brother, look over there, is there some kind of demon?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong looked in the direction Zhu Bajie pointed and saw a black aura rising into the sky, which was quite formidable. He said, "There must be a demon there. Bajie, you must be careful. Such a demon is no ordinary person."

Pigsy laughed and said, "Brother Monkey, you've fooled me. How could there be any great demon here? In Xiniu Hezhou, who doesn't know that the Lord is about to establish his own government? Wherever his decree passes, all evil will flee. He has even sent someone like you, Brother Monkey, to sweep away demons everywhere. What great demon would dare to be here? Are you not afraid of the Lord's decree?"

Sun Wukong said, “What you say makes sense, but this place is indeed not to be underestimated. Bajie, the demonic energy there is very strong, we must be careful.”

Pigsy laughed and said, "Brother, that place is a dragon's den and a tiger's lair. I, Pigsy, will accompany you on this journey."

Sun Wukong patted Zhu Bajie and laughed, "Let's go, let's go."

The two then rode on the clouds and headed towards that place.

As they approached, they saw a mountain, from which demonic energy emanated, obscuring the sky and the sun. Within the mountain, there were many demons. At times, a red-eyed old ape climbed the cliff, its claws three feet long, with indigo poisonous saliva seeping from its nail seams. There were also dragons spitting saliva, turning the grass and trees in their path to a bronze color. There were green-faced demons with green eyes and red feet, their ten fingers growing iron claws. Tree spirits transformed into beautiful women, their branches forming their hair buns and their flower stamens their skirts, laughing and talking intimately as they lured the guests closer. There were countless demons and monsters.

When Pigsy saw how many demons were in the mountains, he was terrified and lost all his power. He grabbed Monkey and tried to leave, saying, "Brother, there are so many demons here, probably thousands. We can't fight them all! We must leave quickly, return home, and ask for reinforcements before we can wipe this place out."

Sun Wukong grabbed Zhu Bajie and said, “Fool, what is there to fear? In the past, when we passed through Lion Camel Ridge, we were not afraid of so many demons. Compared to them, we are not so afraid. But what I am worried about is which demon is here and has summoned so many monsters. If there is no summoning, there would be no way so many monsters could gather.”

(End of this chapter)